Body Geometry Bike Fit by Specialized

richard36

I've posted elsewhere that I'm looking to buy a road bike (for about £500 - 750). It will be the first one I've bought from a bike shop. My existing road bike was bought second hand and I suspect it's too big. My LBS sell Specialized and someone has recommended the Sp Secteur. The LBS also do the BG Bike Fit which appears to be devised by Specialized. It
costs £120 though if I buy a bike from the LBS they will refund £70.

Several questions

1. Will I need the Bike Fit in order to work out whether my existing bike is too big or should the LBS be able to work that out?

2. Will the Bike Fit tell me what size of bike I need to buy and will it also tell me how to finely adjust that bike to get the best set up?

3. Has anyone paid for the BG Bike Fit and do you have any comments - good or bad ie. is it a bit of an overkill or is it money well spent?

Thanks

Richard

fungus_the_muffin_man

Most places will do a bike fit for £50 and give you that off the price of the bike you buy from them - so it's free.

I'd want the best bike fit in the world for what they are asking.

Where are you?

richard36

Dumfries & Galloway. My LBS is in Castle Douglas which is 35 miles away!

The £120 seems to be the standard price for the Specialized Bike Fit but as you say it does seem expensive though I haven't any experience of bike fitting.

I moved to D & G from Manchester and occasionally go back. Is there a bike shop that you (or anyone else) would recommend in the Manchester area that sells specialised (and a range of other 'sportive' type bikes) and offers a cheaper bike fitting service?

Thanks

floosy

I had one done and wished I hadnt botherted tbh...

so not worth the asking price...

Dave.

richard36

That's helpful - thanks Dave

Richard

Paul C, Devon

On the other hand I had a BG fit about 6 weeks ago and thought it was very worthwhile. I had been having back problems recently whilst riding and the changes that they suggested to seat height, bar height , cleat position has made all the difference to me - I can now go cycling pain free.

The chap who did this (from Exeter Bike Shed) spent 3 hrs with me and I thought it was worthwhile. He checked my flexibility, riding style/ pedalling action etc etc and was very thorough.

Had to buy a new stem as a result but that was only £30.

Paul

rokkala

I had one, and while some of it was worthwhile, it was too much for what it was.

Basically it confirmed i had my cleats set up perfectly, was interesting regarding the pedalling dynamics, i got an insert for one of my shoes because of that, and they test flexibilty and see if you are weaker/less flexible in one side or if any imbalances affect you on the bike or not.

Also made sure saddle fore/aft was correctly positioned, which was good.

When i got my fit done, i knew prior to it that my saddle was slightly too high, as i had just fitted a new one which was slightly higher than previous and hadn't had time to fiddle with it, but the fitter dropped my saddle height quite considerably.

When i went out on the road like this, it was akin to Samson having his hair cut off. I had basically no power in my legs when seated going up hills. I tried persevering with it for a couple of days to see if just needed to adapt, but it was just plain wrong. Raised saddle height myself until i got it where it now feels perfect, which is 2.5cm higher than it had been set at!

If i was you i would try and find a fitter who specialises and is known for doing just that.

richard36

Thanks for your replies. Living where I do it's either the Specialized Bike Fit at the LBS or nothing unless I travel

Cheers

GregC

I had a specialized bike fit at the Birmingham branch last autumn and found it really helpful .I was putting too much weight over the bars and experienced shoulder pain after a couple of hours riding .
The result was an increase in saddle height ,flipped stem and realignment of cleats with insoles to correct the outward movement of my feet at the bottom of the peddle stroke .
It took a few rides to get used to the position ,but I now feel very relaxed on the bike and have no pain -- I've done several thousand miles since .
£120 is nothing considering the amount that you will pay on bike related stuff if you continue with this hobby belive me !! Also it means that when you do upgrade bits they will always be the correct one for you .

Kingtut87

Interesting post as I was thinking about getting one done at the same bike shop! Im only 22 and dont get pain when Im riding usually although I do have problem with my knees (pain, usually after running) than can move on to the bike, I also get pain across my shoulders when riding sometimes.

It does seem a lot but if it lasts 2 or 3 hours and you get a proper fitting bike, then its not so much in the long run...

fungus_the_muffin_man

Not exactly manchester but not far from it there is racescene in barnsley who will do it free if you buy off them. They have some beautiful bikes there as well.

Also paul hewitt just outside leyland does a free fit if you buy and he has a great choice of bikes as well.